I first met Rosie early in
the year 1999. A woman in the neighborhood had bought her for her children.
Rosie was in very sad condition and I offered to buy her, but was told
she was not for sale. So I left my phone number and asked to be contacted
if she ever needed a home.
Two months later, I found out that Rosie was used as a "trade-in" for
a younger horse. Rosie ended up at the worst place possible...a "stable"
where she joined the string of trail horses. We went to the stable and
were told Rosie was for sale for $500. Having so many animals to care for,
we don't usually have $500 just sitting around. We had to leave without Rosie
and I was very upset. I called everybody I know to please go get this poor
old girl out of there. I also called Animal Control for help...nothing
happened.
We ran a few fundraisers and started saving money, but whenever
we were close, we had some new emergency to deal with and the money was used
up again. At the end of 1999, one of our most faithful supporters stopped
by with her trailer in tow, saying: "Let's go get Rosie.". We went to the
"stable" and bought Rosie for $300. On the way home, we stopped at the vet's
office to pull coggins and to have her checked out. Her age was estimated
to be mid to late 30's. She was very weak and the vet didn't think she'd
have much of a chance.
Finally home, Rosie was very depressed for the first couple of weeks she
was here. But she would eat everything we offered her. She gained weight
nicely and bloomed into a very lively, most affectionate little girl. After
a short while, she would wait right at her gate for her breakfast. Whinnying,
nickering as soon as she saw me walk out of the house. Everybody loved her
and even our tiniest volunteers could do anything with her. Rosie was never
ridden again due to her severe arthritis, but she loved to carry small children
around. Always at her pace and always without saddle or bridle.
She was with us for a little over 2 years and I believe she enjoyed every
second of it. In the summer of 2001, Rosie suffered a stroke. Our
vet said to give her a few days to see if she'll improve. I didn't have much
hope for her because the left side of her face was paralyzed and she had
a hard time eating or drinking. But amazingly, within a few days Rosie was
back to her old self. She had a number of small strokes over the next few
months. Nothing severe and she never missed a beat. But we knew her days
were numbered.
When I went outside on 15 January 2002, I immediately knew something
was wrong. I did not hear the familiar, "Good Morning" call and Rosie was
not waiting at her gate. After rushing to her pen, I found her down in her
shelter. Rosie had trouble getting up a couple of times before, but was always
able to get up with just a little help. On that day, she wouldn't even try.
She only turned her head to look at me and I could almost hear her say: "Enough
is enough".
Our vet was called and he helped her leave this life behind. Rosie is missed
every day and just like all animals do when they leave, she left a huge
hole in our hearts...
Marianne
|
Rosie 
